The council’s stance on residual lead in soil, resulting from historical use of lead-based paint on older housing, has been criticised by developers as overly cautious, adding to the cost of redevelopment projects.
Former customer and regulatory committee chairwoman Carmen Houlahan said she raised concerns repeatedly when she was a councillor.
‘‘We heard horror stories of developers who faced huge costs.’’
‘‘It should be a priority for this to be resolved so that areas like North Dunedin can be developed,’’ Mrs Houlahan said.
The city council has begun work to create a North Dunedin spatial plan, which is aimed at ensuring there will be enough housing of the right types over the next 30 years.
The council is to consider where more intensive residential development could be encouraged and which areas should instead have emphasis on retaining built character.
Mrs Houlahan noted the prevalence of older housing stock in Dunedin.
‘‘If new planning rules allow older houses to be removed and new flats built in their place, this will trigger the lead-paint issue and potentially add huge costs to the build.’’
Intensification should happen in certain areas, but she would like to see many old villas retained, she said.
Dr Mackay said lead in the soil was a significant issue in the city, particularly for homes built before the 1950s.
Lead-based paint had ‘‘weathered into surrounding soil, which can then exceed the soil contaminant standard for producing food, posing neurological and developmental impacts in children’’, he said.
‘‘This must be taken seriously and ongoing testing must be stringent.’’
Developers should be encouraged, where possible, to renovate older, poorly insulated housing, especially in the student sector, to meet healthy homes standards, he said.
